Imagine an electric bike that doesn't blow the budget but takes you everywhere in the city as well as on country paths, without ever complaining about the task. The Touroll J1 ST is a bit like the good buddy of everyday life: reliable, simple, and always ready to give you a boost, whether it's for commuting to work or for an impromptu Sunday ride. I had the opportunity to test it over several dozen kilometers, between commutes, towpaths, and small country roads. It’s time to tell you a bit more about it!
Unboxing the Touroll J1 ST electric bike
The Touroll J1 ST arrives in a well-protected, rather bulky box. After all, there is a bike inside!
The entire package is perfectly protected with foam, which is quite reassuring given the transport it must undergo to reach us.
The electric bike is already 80-85% assembled. No need to be a mechanic or have a vocational diploma in cycling: you just need to attach the front wheel, the handlebars, the pedals, and accessories like the front light.
The manual (yes, it’s in French!) is clear, and the necessary tools are provided. In just a small hour, the bike is ready to roll. The longest part is almost removing the protections and tape.
Nice detail: most accessories are already mounted, including the luggage rack and metal fenders. Even the little throttle trigger (to install yourself if you wish, but beware, it’s not approved for road use in France) is included.
In short, it’s within everyone’s reach, even if you’ve never touched a wrench in your life.
User feedback on the Touroll J1 ST: a true road companion, no fuss
The Touroll J1 ST has a simple and modern look, with its battery integrated into the frame that remains almost invisible.
The low frame, in a “swan neck” style, truly makes life easier: you get on and off the bike effortlessly, perfect for frequent stops in the city or for those who don’t want to lift their leg every time. Also great for seniors who have difficulty lifting their leg or for women in dresses.
The riding position is relaxed, almost Dutch, thanks to the curved and adjustable handlebars.
You sit upright, your back doesn’t suffer, and the saddle is comfortable (even if, on very long rides, the more sensitive might prefer to invest in a suspended seat post).
The 27.5-inch wheels fitted with 2.1-inch CST or Kenda tires absorb cobblestones, small holes, and gravel paths without flinching. The metal fenders do their job even in torrential rain (tested and approved, unfortunately).
On the assistance side, the 250 W rear motor (45 Nm of torque) does the job on flat ground and small hills. On steep climbs, you will need to assist a bit more aggressively with pedaling, especially if you weigh more than 80 kg or if you have loaded the rack (which supports up to 25 kg).
But in the majority of urban or leisure situations, it’s smooth, pleasant, and you find yourself smiling while overtaking cars stuck in traffic.
The assistance offers five levels, from 12 to 25 km/h. A little peculiarity: each level cuts off assistance at a given speed, but the power delivered does not vary much from one level to another. The result: even at level 1, the assistance is already quite present, but stops early. It's a bit disorienting at first, but you quickly get used to it. Mode 5 allows you to reach the regulatory 25 km/h (or even more if you unlock it, but shhh, that's illegal on the road).
The announced range is 100 km, but in real usage (mode 5, 80 kg cyclist, mixed trips), expect more like 60 to 80 km, which is still very decent given the battery capacity (36 V, 15.6 Ah, or 561 Wh). On flat ground, in eco mode, you can really get close to 90-100 km.
The battery is removable, lockable with a key, and takes 6 to 8 hours to recharge. One downside: once the battery is removed, there’s no cover to protect the housing from moisture.
The Shimano 7-speed derailleur does its job, even if it’s entry-level (Tourney), so it's not super precise under heavy stress.
The mechanical disc brakes are adequate: they need a small break-in period, but they provide reassuring braking even in the rain. We are far from the effectiveness of hydraulic brakes, but at this price, it's hard to ask for more.
The 1.8-inch LCD screen is readable in all circumstances, displays speed, battery level, distance, and even instantaneous consumption.
And there is a USB port to charge your smartphone while riding (a detail that can save a workday or an impromptu GPS session).
In the city, the Touroll J1 ST weaves its way everywhere, and on towpaths or bike lanes, it gobbles up kilometers without flinching. I was able to use it both to commute to work (35 km round trip, against the wind on the way back, hello Loire!) and for family outings, with bags on the rack for picnics. Even when loaded, it remains maneuverable and stable, and its weight (27 kg) is only felt when you need to carry it up stairs or hoist it onto a bike rack.
A little video preview:
A bike that can be easily unlocked
Uniquely, the manufacturer provides a throttle trigger and the procedure to perform on the onboard computer to unlock the Touroll J1 ST!
The Touroll J1 ST thus arrives in a format that is fully compliant for France, with a power of 250 W, a speed limited to 25 km/h, and pedal assistance (which means you have to pedal).
But for those who wish, it is indeed entirely possible to easily unlock it and add the throttle control, to move without pedaling. Super handy for starting on a hill or in traffic :p But beware, its use is reserved for private or export. In France, this system is prohibited on public roads.
Conclusion: an affordable, clever, and endearing electric hybrid bike
The Touroll J1 ST is not the most powerful model, nor the lightest, nor the most high-tech that we have had the opportunity to discover in our electric bike tests. But it checks all the essential boxes for daily or leisure use: comfort, range, clever features, and above all an absolutely stunning quality-price ratio. For less than €880, it offers a performance that rivals much more expensive models, without sacrificing the essentials. It’s a bike that simply makes you want to ride, and it could very well make you forget your car more often than expected!
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